Convenience key to two new stores

Newport Coast Shopping Center has two new stores that offer

convenient services for locals. Fiore is a florist set in an open-air

market, and Dogma offers everything for dog lovers.

Fiore specializes in one-of-a-kind arrangements and high-quality

fresh florals. Fiore can custom order any flower and offers delivery

of gifts attached to flower arrangements. Popular gifts to send with

arrangements include “mommy and me” bracelets for new mothers and

their babies. Fiore supports local schools with its “Education in

Bloom” program. Fiore donates 10% of all sales during the first week

of every month to a local school that customers designate. Also,

Fiore offers a vase exchange program. Customers can bring in old

vases and receive credit toward a future purchase. The used vases are

filled and donated to local shelters and other charities to brighten

facilities. Free delivery within five miles. Open from 9 a.m. to 6

p.m. Monday through Saturday. 21161 Newport Coast Drive, Newport

Beach. (949) 640-6393.

Jerry Carter, owner of Dogma, says there are nearly as many dogs

as people in Orange County, and Dogma caters to dog owners who prefer

quality products offered along with friendly, personalized customer

service. Superior brands of dog food, toys, bones, dog treats, custom

and standard collars and bedding, grooming products, travel

accessories, training aids, apparel for dogs and their owners, as

well as gifts, are carried. Dogma also offers a delivery service

within five miles. Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through

Saturday; and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 21113 Newport Coast Drive. (949) 640-6072. www.4dogma.com.

EAST MEETS WEST IN ART

“Paul Bryan Jr. is a killer artist,” says 31-year-old Vincent

Nunn, owner of Pier Records in Newport Beach. “His black and white

portraits really make a statement in a home. They’re modern and

clean.” Nunn is one of many fans of Bryan’s. David Lee Roth put

Bryan’s painting inside the cover of his greatest hits album. His

exact representational paintings are painted on any surface: canvas,

wood, surfboards, and walls -- even lunch pails. Bryan says a garage

door is the perfect canvas. The bigger the better. Influenced by

Asian art, Bryan stamps all of his paintings with a red super-ellipse

or square circle. “East meets West,” Bryan says. “I like to combine

the best elements of cultures, black and white flat spaces from the

Orient, and photography from the west.” At this alternative music

shop, Nunn showcases Bryan’s rock and roll portraits and his latest

circular paintings -- mostly famous logos: the Gerber baby, a smiley

face, the peace symbol and an Indian head nickel. The most requested

portraits are Marilyn Monroe, Madonna, Jimmy Hendrix and the Doors.

Special orders are accepted. You can request to see Bryan’s 100

famous faces as children. Girls are in blue and white; boys are brown

and beige. Cher, Anastasia, Madonna, Tiger Woods, Alexander Graham

Bell and even Hitler are among the innocent close-ups. Other series

of paintings are rock stars, Native Americans and bull fighters. 2301

W. Balboa Blvd. in Newport Beach. (949) 675-3271.

BOUTIQUE BRINGS ACCESSORIES CLOSE TO HOME

Dooney & Bourke is a Connecticut-based handbags and accessories

company whose collections were originally only available at better

department stores. This Dooney & Bourke boutique opened at South

Coast Plaza in August. Dooney’s signature and tassel bags are the

most popular. Handbags are made of high-quality leathers in a variety

of colors including tan, black and red. There are also jackets,

coats, cashmere sweaters, shoes, briefcases and small leather goods.

Open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday; from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday; and from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Level one, near Saks

Fifth Avenue. (714) 641-5622. www.dooneyandbourke.com.

BABY YOUR CHILD WITH HARD-TO-FIND ITEMS

Baby Unique specializes in children’s furniture and bedroom

accessories. Themes are popular here. There are hard-to-find sailboat

bed and safari furniture. Choose from catalogs for special looks.

Custom furniture and bedding can be made up to king sizes. Imports

and pieces made locally are available. There’s a small section of

clothing and accessories, and a gift registry, too. Open from 10 a.m.

to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday; and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

908 Avocado Ave. Corona del Mar Plaza. (949) 759-4222.

* BEST BUYS appears Mondays and Fridays. Send information to

Greer Wylder at [email protected]; at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa,

CA 92627; or by fax at (949) 646-4170.